Noticeboard

Notice for patients

The partners would like to keep patients updated about some plans that are under discussion at the surgery. We are currently working with our neighbours at Melbourne Surgery and Humber Road Surgery with a view to forming a merger between our three practices. This is an exciting opportunity to gain more funding, develop new services and ensure that we can each continue to offer the same standards of care to our patients in a sustainable way for the future. We would like to reassure patients that we will still continue to offer the same services at ­­­­­­­­­­­Tennyson House Surgery and we will be running a consultation exercise about our plans in the very near future.

Drs Stead, Roberts, Ahmad and Radford 1/3/18

ZERO TOLERANCE -after a disturbing increase in verbal and aggressive behaviour towards our staff over the past year we would like to remind people that our staff are there to help you and should not expect to be abused by anyone during their work day or ever! We now write to all offenders and if abusive behaviour does not change we will contact NHS England to ask that these people are removed from our list. We respect our staff and take their Health and Safety in the workplace seriously and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

CQC REPORT- GOOD - We are very pleased to publish our report as GOOD, please click to see summary or use the link on our home page to see the full report.

Option1- Reception only who will deal with your call or pass you to the most appropriate person

Option 2- Queries- only available between 10.30am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday for all test results and queries you may have

We hope this makes life easier when trying to contact the surgery- But advise you that between 8.30am and 10am it is a lot busier and may take longer to process your call. Thank you

CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT PLEASE!!

Please note we are having a lot of patients not attending their booked appointments (see figures below) PLEASE could you CANCEL your appointment if you no longer need it to help others who do! Please note that we are now sending text messages to those patients who do not arrive for their appointment in the hope it will reduce the numbers not attending but so far it does not seem to be making any difference. Please update us with your contact details if they change and please think of others that could have used that appointment.

Numbers of Patients that did NOT attend their appointment

January 2017 -212

February 2017 -207

March 2017 -247

April 2017 -222

May 2017 -227

June 2017 - 255

July 2017 - 211

August 2017 - 209

September 2017 - 178

October 2017 - 279

November 2017 - 240

December 2017 - 151

January 2018 - 212

February 2018 - 197

If anyone has any good ideas on how to reduce the amount of people not attending we would be very glad to hear them, thank you.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY TEST- Please fill in our survey which can be found under the link - Have your say - this is a survey that all practices will be using over the country to get feedback from their patients to help improve their services. It is a very short survey with just one question and then a place for textual comments so we would really appreciate your time in helping us to help you.Thank you

ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBINGPlease note that we are now able to offer you electronic prescribing. You can nominate a chemist of your choice to organise the request and collection of your prescriptions, This may save you time as you will only visit the chemist instead of coming to the surgery twice. Please ask at Reception for details.

ONLINE SERVICES If you have access to the internet, we can give you the oppurtunity of booking online appointments with all Doctors and the facility to request your prescriptions without having to contact the surgery by telephone or in person.You are also able to access a brief summary of your medical record online and from 9th March a detailed coded record which will show you more information. Please ask at the Reception Desk for details on your next visit. You will need to have photographic id such as a driving licence or passport to be able to register for this service. Please note this service is for over 18`s only from 9th March 2016.

Please click the link to online services to see our STATEMENT OF INTENT regarding medical record access for this practice

Long Term Conditions

Asthma

Asthma

Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment can live normal lives, but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways

Symptoms of asthma

The usual symptoms of asthma are

coughing

wheezing

shortness of breath

tightness in the chest.

Not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people experience them from time to time; a few people may experience these symptoms all the time.

Treatment of asthma

There isn't a cure for asthma. However, treatments are available to help manage your symptoms. Your treatment plan will be individual to you, combining medicines and asthma management in a way that works best for you

Living with asthma

Medicines are only part of your treatment for asthma. You will also need to deal with the things that make it worse. Keep a diary to record anything that triggers your asthma - this can help you to discover a pattern. Using a peak flow meter to monitor your lung function can also help. If you have repeatedly low readings in a certain situation (for example, at the end of a working day, after exercise or after contact with an animal) this may indicate the trigger.

Useful Links

Asthma UKThis website has been revamped to meet the needs of the thousands of people with asthma who visit the site each day, either to find important information about asthma and how to control it

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Cancer

Cancer

One in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their life. There are many different types of cancer and this page doesn't cover them all, but the general information will help you to access further information and support.

Macmillan Cancer Support - The cancer line and how it can help

Useful Links

Cancer - HealthtalkonlineHealthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

CancerhelpFree information service provided by Cancer Research UK about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families. Information is formatted in such a way that makes understanding the website an easy process

Macmillan Cancer SupportEurope's leading cancer information charity, with over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a preventable disease that was responsible for the deaths of 88,000 people in the UK in 2008 (British Heart Foundation CHD Statistics 2010). In all, 191,00 died from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Death rates are highest in Scotland and North of England and lowest in the South of England. CHD is the biggest killer in the country.

British Heart Foundation - Vinne Jones' hard and fast hands-only CPR

There are more videos available on all aspects of BHF and heart disease on the BHF video site

Audio MP3 Downloads

Now you can download and listen to podcasts free from the BHF - either on the move or in the comfort of your own home. We have a few examples below.

"The British Heart Foundation is Britain’s leading charity fighting heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer. The BHF funds research, education and life-saving equipment and helps heart patients return to a full and active way of life. The charity relies on donations to continue its vital work."

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

The BHS recommends that only properly validated BP monitors be used both in the clinic and at home. All the monitors listed on their website have been clinically validated. This means that all the machines, regardless of their cost, give reliable readings when used correctly. Please note that added cost does not equate to added accuracy.

Useful Links

CHD - HealthtalkonlineHealthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

British Heart FoundationOur vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We will achieve this through our pioneering research, our vital prevention activity and by ensuring quality care and support for people living with heart disease.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. The main symptom of COPD is an inability to breathe in and out properly. This is also referred to as airflow obstruction.

What is COPD?

Useful Links

NHS ChoicesGuide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks of COPD from the NHS

COPD FactsheetThis factsheet is for people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or who would like information about it.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Diabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus. There are two types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2.

According to the charity Diabetes UK, more than two million people in the UK have the condition and up to 750,000 more are believed to have it without realising they do.

More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes mellitus. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. The number of people with type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing as it commoner in the overweight and obese, which is itself a growing problem.

The remainder have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

What's the treatment for diabetes?

It's recognised that the sooner the blood sugar levels are brought under control, the better the long term prospects of preventing damage. Lifestyle advice about diet, weight management and regular activity is the first step.

Type 1 diabetes will require immediate insulin therapy, Type 2 diabetes will first be managed with a drug called Metformin, if lifestyle changes alone aren't effective. There are now several other drugs used in type 2 diabetes, although eventually some type 2 diabetics will need insulin therapy as it's a progressive disease

Diabetes UK - How to take a blood glucose test

Useful Links

Diabetes - HealthtalkonlineHealthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Mental Health

Mental Health

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.

Mental health disorders take many different forms and affect people in different ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders are all examples of mental health problems. Diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating disorders are more common in young people.

Alzheimer's Society - Diagnosis interview with Terry Pratchett

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.

Mental Health Wellbeing Podcasts

The website of the Mental Health Foundation outlines the charity’s work in research, policy, service development and service user involvement. The site offers information and publications to download on research, good practice in services and on mental health problems and key issues.

Useful Links

Mental Health - HealthtalkonlineHealthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

DepressionAn information sheet helping to understand more about the causes, treatment and understanding of Depression

Alzheimer’s SocietyComprehensive information for people with all forms of dementia. Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Alzheimer ScotlandAlzheimer Scotland provides a wide range of specialist services for people with dementia and their carers. We offer personalised support services, community activities, information and advice, at every stage of the dementia journey

Mental Health FoundationFounded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 8.5 million people in the UK. It develops gradually over time, causing joints to become stiff and painful. It can affect any joint but commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine.

Osteoarthritis: a real story

Who develops osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people who are over 50 years of age, and it is more common in women than in men. It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not true. Younger people can also be affected by osteoarthritis, often as a result of an injury or another joint condition.

Useful Links

Arthritis Research UKArthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis. Everything we do is underpinned by research

NHS ChoicesGuide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks of Ostearthritis from the NHS

Arthritis CareArthritis Care exists to support people with arthritis. They are the UK’s largest organisation working with and for all people who have arthritis.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Pain

Living with Pain

The NHS website contains lots of useful information, tips and advice on living with chronic pain.

Help from your GP and use of NHS services dedicated to pain management can help make sufferers more independant, reduce the severity of pain and assist in day to day with coping with what can be a debilitating condition.

Useful Links

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Stroke

Stroke

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

Like all organs, the brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by blood to function properly. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain damage and possibly death.

Strokes are a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

The NHS Stroke Act FAST pages offer a great deal of information about stroke, including how to recognise the signs, some real stories of stroke sufferers and advice on how to live your life after a stroke.

Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or 'mini-stroke', is caused by a temporary fall in the blood supply to part of the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause symptoms that are similar to a stroke, although they don’t last as long. A TIA lasts only a few minutes and is usually resolved within 24 hours

As TIAs are serious, it is important that they are always investigated so that appropriate treatment can be given quickly. With treatment, the risk of a further TIA or a full stroke can be greatly reduced.